Cortisporin Ophthalmic Ointment 3g – Triple Antibiotic & Steroid Eye Treatment

Drug Class: Triple Antibiotic + Corticosteroid Combination | Form: Sterile Ophthalmic Ointment | Prescription Status: Prescription Only (Rx)

What Is Cortisporin Ophthalmic Ointment?

Cortisporin Ophthalmic Ointment (3g) is a prescription sterile eye ointment combining three broad-spectrum antibiotics — Neomycin Sulfate, Polymyxin B Sulfate, and Bacitracin Zinc — with a corticosteroid, Hydrocortisone 1%. This four-ingredient combination addresses one of the most common and challenging clinical scenarios in eye care: inflammation of the eye occurring alongside bacterial infection or in situations where bacterial infection is a serious risk.

The triple antibiotic combination gives Cortisporin exceptionally broad antibacterial coverage — targeting gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria simultaneously through three different mechanisms — while Hydrocortisone rapidly controls the inflammatory response, reducing pain, swelling, and redness. As an ointment, it maintains prolonged contact with the eye surface for sustained therapeutic action, making it particularly effective for nighttime use or conditions requiring extended coverage.

Cortisporin must only be used under medical supervision with a confirmed diagnosis. It is not suitable for viral, fungal, or purely allergic eye conditions.

What Is Cortisporin Ophthalmic Ointment Used For?

Cortisporin Ophthalmic Ointment is prescribed for steroid-responsive inflammatory eye conditions where bacterial infection or risk of infection is present, including:

• Bacterial conjunctivitis with inflammation (آنکھ آنا) — bacterial eye infection with significant redness, discharge, and swelling requiring both antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment
• Blepharokeratoconjunctivitis — combined bacterial inflammation of the eyelids, cornea, and conjunctiva
• Infected blepharitis — bacterial infection and inflammation of the eyelid margins with crusting, soreness, and redness
• Corneal injury with infection risk — minor corneal abrasions or wounds where bacterial infection risk is present alongside inflammatory response
• Post-operative ocular inflammation — controlling inflammation and preventing infection following eye surgery under specialist guidance
• Chronic anterior uveitis with secondary infection risk — inflammatory eye conditions requiring combined steroid and antibiotic coverage as determined by an eye specialist

Cortisporin will not treat viral or fungal eye infections and must never be used without a confirmed bacterial diagnosis or clear clinical justification for combined antibiotic-steroid therapy.

How Does Cortisporin Ophthalmic Ointment Work?

Cortisporin's clinical strength lies in four active ingredients working through four entirely different mechanisms simultaneously:

Neomycin Sulfate 3.5mg/g — Protein Synthesis Inhibitor: Neomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that binds to bacterial ribosomes — the structures bacteria use to manufacture essential proteins. By blocking protein synthesis, Neomycin prevents bacteria from producing the proteins needed for survival, growth, and reproduction. It is particularly effective against gram-negative bacteria and many gram-positive organisms including Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli.

Polymyxin B Sulfate 5,000 units/g — Cell Membrane Disruptor: Polymyxin B attacks the outer cell membrane of gram-negative bacteria, binding to it and causing structural breakdown — the bacterial membrane leaks and the cell rapidly dies. It provides specific and potent coverage against gram-negative organisms including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Haemophilus influenzae that are resistant to many other antibiotic classes.

Bacitracin Zinc 400 units/g — Cell Wall Synthesis Inhibitor: Bacitracin blocks the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall — the rigid outer structure that gram-positive bacteria depend on to maintain their shape and integrity. Without a functioning cell wall, bacteria cannot survive. Bacitracin provides strong coverage against gram-positive organisms including Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species — the most common cause of styes and eyelid infections.

Hydrocortisone 10mg/g (1%) — Corticosteroid Anti-inflammatory: Hydrocortisone suppresses the inflammatory response in the eye by blocking the production of prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators. It rapidly reduces redness, swelling, pain, and light sensitivity — providing comfort while the three antibiotics simultaneously treat the underlying infection. The antibiotic coverage makes it safe to include a corticosteroid in this formulation by protecting against bacterial overgrowth that steroids alone would risk.

Combined Effect: Triple antibiotic coverage eliminates the broadest possible range of bacteria through three independent mechanisms while Hydrocortisone controls the inflammatory response — providing comprehensive treatment that no single-ingredient or dual-ingredient product can match for complex bacterial eye infections with significant inflammation.

Dosage and Administration

⚠️ Use exactly as prescribed. Complete the full course even if symptoms improve. Ointment causes temporary blurring after application — do not drive immediately after use. Never share eye ointment between patients.

How to Apply:

1. Wash hands thoroughly before every use
2. Tilt head back and look upward
3. Gently pull lower eyelid down to form a small pocket
4. Squeeze approximately 1cm ribbon of ointment into the pocket without touching the tube tip to the eye or any surface
5. Close the eye gently and roll it to distribute the ointment evenly
6. Blot away excess ointment from around the eye with a clean tissue
7. Replace cap firmly immediately after use
8. Expect temporary blurring for a few minutes — this is normal

Active Ingredients

Who Should NOT Use Cortisporin Ophthalmic Ointment?

Do not use Cortisporin if you:

• Are allergic to Neomycin, Polymyxin B, Bacitracin, Hydrocortisone, or any ingredient — note that Neomycin allergy is relatively common; discontinue immediately if skin or eye irritation worsens after starting treatment
• Have a viral eye infection — including Herpes simplex keratitis — corticosteroids will worsen viral infections rapidly and can cause serious corneal damage
• Have a fungal eye infection — steroids promote fungal growth
• Have tuberculosis of the eye
• Have an undiagnosed red eye — never use steroid-antibiotic combinations without confirmed diagnosis
• Are wearing soft contact lenses — remove before application and do not wear during treatment

Consult your doctor before use if you:

• Have a personal or family history of glaucoma — corticosteroids raise intraocular pressure
• Have existing cataracts — prolonged steroid use can accelerate cataract development
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have diabetes — steroid eye drops can affect blood sugar in diabetic patients

Side Effects

Common (mild and temporary):

• Temporary blurring of vision immediately after application — clears within minutes
• Mild stinging or burning on application
• Temporary foreign body sensation as ointment spreads across the eye

Serious — Stop Use and Seek Immediate Medical Attention:

• Raised intraocular pressure — eye pain, headache, halos around lights — corticosteroid-induced pressure rise can cause glaucoma with prolonged use; regular pressure monitoring is required
• Secondary infection — worsening discharge or symptoms despite treatment may indicate a resistant bacterium, fungal superinfection, or undiagnosed viral component
• Neomycin hypersensitivity — Neomycin has a higher sensitisation rate than most topical antibiotics; increasing redness, itching, or swelling after starting treatment may indicate allergic contact reaction rather than improvement
• Cataract formation — risk increases with prolonged corticosteroid use
• Severe allergic reaction — swelling of face or eyelids, difficulty breathing (یہ طبی ہنگامی صورتحال ہے)
• Corneal thinning or perforation — rare but serious with prolonged steroid use, particularly in eyes with existing corneal disease

Cortisporin should never be used beyond the prescribed course. Prolonged unsupervised use carries serious risk of glaucoma, cataract, and secondary infection.

Drug Interactions

Storage Instructions

• Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place
• Do not refrigerate
• Keep tube tightly capped after every use
• Discard 4 weeks after first opening
• Keep out of reach of children (بچوں کی پہنچ سے دور رکھیں)
• Do not use after the expiry date on the tube or carton

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Cortisporin contain three antibiotics instead of just one?

Each of the three antibiotics in Cortisporin targets bacteria through a completely different mechanism — Neomycin blocks protein synthesis, Polymyxin B destroys the cell m

embrane, and Bacitracin prevents cell wall formation. Together they cover both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria far more comprehensively than any single antibiotic could alone. This broad-spectrum triple coverage is particularly important for eye infections where mixed bacterial populations may be present, or where the causative organism has not been identified by culture. It also reduces the chance of bacterial resistance developing during treatment.

I have heard Neomycin can cause allergic reactions — how will I know if this is happening?

Neomycin has one of the higher rates of contact sensitisation among topical antibiotics — meaning some people develop an allergic reaction to it with use. The key warning sign is symptoms that worsen rather than improve after the first 48 hours of treatment — increasing redness, itching, swelling, or discharge rather than gradual improvement. This pattern of worsening despite treatment should prompt immediate cessation and a return to your doctor, as it likely indicates Neomycin hypersensitivity rather than treatment failure due to a resistant organism.

How long can I safely use Cortisporin?

Cortisporin is prescribed for short-term use only — typically 7 to 10 days. The corticosteroid component (Hydrocortisone) carries real risks with prolonged use: raised intraocular pressure leading to glaucoma, acceleration of cataract formation, and susceptibility to secondary fungal or viral infections. Your doctor should monitor intraocular pressure if treatment extends beyond 10 days. Never extend the course without explicit medical instruction.

Can I use Cortisporin for my child's eye infection?

Cortisporin can be prescribed for children when a doctor determines the combination is appropriate for the specific diagnosis. The application technique in young children requires extra care to avoid tube tip contact with the eye. Always follow your doctor's specific dosing instructions for children and monitor for any signs of Neomycin hypersensitivity, as children's skin and mucous membranes can be more sensitive.

Can I use Cortisporin if I am not sure whether my infection is bacterial or viral?

No — this is critically important. If a herpes simplex viral infection is present and Cortisporin is applied, the Hydrocortisone corticosteroid will suppress the immune response and allow the virus to replicate aggressively — potentially causing rapid corneal ulceration and serious vision damage. An eye specialist can identify herpes keratitis through slit-lamp examination of the characteristic dendritic ulcer pattern. Never use a steroid-containing eye preparation without a confirmed diagnosis from a qualified eye doctor.

---

⚕️ Medical Disclaimer: This product description is for general informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Cortisporin is a prescription medication containing a corticosteroid — incorrect use in viral or fungal eye infections can cause serious and permanent eye damage. Always use under the supervision of a qualified eye specialist. If symptoms worsen at any point during treatment, seek specialist attention immediately.

---

Prescription Required (Rx) | Complete Full Course | Discard 4 Weeks After Opening | Never Use in Viral or Fungal Eye Infections